Former Melbourne Rebels and Newport Gwent Dragons lock Hoani Macdonald is in a "stable" condition after collapsing during an ITM Championship match in New Zealand.

Macdonald is currently in an induced coma after suffering a suspected cardiac arrest midway through the first-half, according to reports in the New Zealand press. Local television pictures showed the lock sinking to his knees and then receiving treatment from medical staff.

The New Zealand Rugby Union will now work alongside Rugby Southland and their chief executive Brian Hopley to "support Hoani's family and his team mates", according to a NZRU statement.

The statement continues: "Arrangements are being made for Hoani's fiance, their two young children and his mother to fly from Invercargill to Auckland to be with him. The Southland team manager will remain in Auckland with Hoani."

Macdonald has previously turned out for the Highlanders in Super Rugby and then the Dragons in the Celtic league. He then joined the Rebels for their debut season in Super Rugby before returning home to New Zealand in 2012. He has also turned out for the New Zealand Maori side and the Junior All Blacks.